---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A good marriage is different to a happy…"
description: "\"A good marriage is different to a happy marriage.\" — Debra Winger"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/339/debra-winger-8813_different_a-good-marriage-is-different-to-a-happy_2672658.png"
---

#  A good marriage is different to a happy marriage.

![“A good marriage is different to a happy marriage.” quote by Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/339/debra-winger-8813_different_a-good-marriage-is-different-to-a-happy_2672658.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/339/debra-winger-8813_different_a-good-marriage-is-different-to-a-happy_2672658.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/339/debra-winger-8813_different_a-good-marriage-is-different-to-a-happy_2672658.png)

> “A good marriage is different to a happy marriage.”

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A good marriage is distinct from a happy one; quality and happiness differ.

**In simple terms:** Good marriage ≠ happy marriage.

Key Takeaway

Seek both quality and joy.

Themes

relationships marriage happiness

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- long‑term partnership
- conflict resolution
- family planning

Key Concepts

compatibility communication

Questions to Reflect On

- What defines a “good” marriage for you?
- Can happiness exist without solid foundations?

A Different Perspective

A good marriage may lack joy, and a happy marriage may lack depth.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-happy-989153/) [Good marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-marriage/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy/) [Happy marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-marriage/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Marriage Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-different-411597/)

## Related quotes

> [“I have to tell you that equality has nothing to do with marriage. The basis of a good marriage, a reasonably happy marriage-don't delude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalia-sanmartin-fenollera/i-have-to-tell-you-that-equality-has-nothing-to-do-with-marriage-the/)

[Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalia-sanmartin-fenollera/)

> [Two things are owed to truthfulness: lasting marriages and short friendships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/two-things-are-owed-to-truthfulness-lasting-marriages-and-short/)

[Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/)

> [The divorce rate would be lower if instead of marrying for better or worse people would marry for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/the-divorce-rate-would-be-lower-if-instead-of-marrying-for-better-or/)

[Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/)

> [Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of growths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/love-seems-the-swiftest-but-it-is-the-slowest-of-growths/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [Apparently God makes us all different. Some of us are happy to respond to His individual touch on our lives by remaining individuals, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-norman/apparently-god-makes-us-all-different-some-of-us-are-happy-to-respond/)

[Larry Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-norman/)

> [“Every country's different. All that happy talk you hear about understanding one another and people everywhere being basically the same, it's all a bunch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitsuyo-kakuta/every-country-s-different-all-that-happy-talk-you-hear-about/)

[Mitsuyo Kakuta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitsuyo-kakuta/)

> [I'm glad folks think I look different, I'm living a different, happy, more fulfilling life, and I'm thrilled that perhaps it shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-zellweger/i-m-glad-folks-think-i-look-different-i-m-living-a-different-happy/)

[Renee Zellweger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-zellweger/)

> [When I'm with you, I act differently. in a good way. I smile more and laugh more. I dont have to pretend everything is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-m-with-you-i-act-differently-in-a-good-way-i-smile-more-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I was always a bit different. I had a very happy childhood, but I could never hang on to mates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-numan/i-was-always-a-bit-different-i-had-a-very-happy-childhood-but-i-could/)

[Gary Numan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-numan/)

> [I think one of the most important differences between us is that you are excellent at living in a way that is commensurate with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-think-one-of-the-most-important-differences-between-us-is-that-you/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [Being in a successful marriage is no different than being cast in a successful movie. It's all about who you pick; in that first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-lowe/being-in-a-successful-marriage-is-no-different-than-being-cast-in-a/)

[Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-lowe/)

> [Marriage is not different from a relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-ross/marriage-is-not-different-from-a-relationship/)

[Katharine Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-ross/)

> [I believe in civil partnerships as it protects each partner. Whether I believe in marriage is a different thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/i-believe-in-civil-partnerships-as-it-protects-each-partner-whether-i/)

[Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/)

> [When you have a baby, you set off an explosion in your marriage, and when the dust settles, your marriage is different from what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/when-you-have-a-baby-you-set-off-an-explosion-in-your-marriage-and/)

[Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/)

> [Every marriage is different, but the most important factor in a strong relationship is the love and harmony between the couple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hema-malini/every-marriage-is-different-but-the-most-important-factor-in-a-strong/)

[Hema Malini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hema-malini/)

## More by Debra Winger

> [I have enjoyed a wonderful run in films, so far, and I may, at some point, come back. But it will be in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/i-have-enjoyed-a-wonderful-run-in-films-so-far-and-i-may-at-some/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [I do admit to being challenging, but it's always for the work, it's never personal. I will walk out on a scene if it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/i-do-admit-to-being-challenging-but-it-s-always-for-the-work-it-s/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [Most bad behavior comes from insecurity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/most-bad-behavior-comes-from-insecurity/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [But I never worried about having a child in my 40s, which is unusual - normally, I'm the queen of worry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/but-i-never-worried-about-having-a-child-in-my-40s-which-is-unusual/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [Writers often have a 'drunk' that is different than anyone else's. That's why it's so insidious and so damning. First of all, because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/writers-often-have-a-drunk-that-is-different-than-anyone-else-s-that/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [Just because we're on schedule is no reason to shoot bad acting. Someone once said to me, 'You're inconsiderate.' And I said, 'Inconsiderate? Bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/just-because-we-re-on-schedule-is-no-reason-to-shoot-bad-acting/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [I've been acting all along. I understand that I haven't been in people's viewers, but acting has never not been a part of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/i-ve-been-acting-all-along-i-understand-that-i-haven-t-been-in-people/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [The sexiest thing in the world is to be totally naked with your wedding band on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/the-sexiest-thing-in-the-world-is-to-be-totally-naked-with-your/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [I have a thing with the camera. The lens is unconditional. It doesn't judge you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/i-have-a-thing-with-the-camera-the-lens-is-unconditional-it-doesn-t/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [There's a small club of women who are willing to age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/there-s-a-small-club-of-women-who-are-willing-to-age/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [I started out in stand-up, so it's very satisfying to make people laugh, but it usually means at your own expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/i-started-out-in-stand-up-so-it-s-very-satisfying-to-make-people/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [It's no secret that I didn't love 'An Officer And A Gentleman' then, and I certainly don't love it now, so at least no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/it-s-no-secret-that-i-didn-t-love-an-officer-and-a-gentleman-then-and/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [I was shooting one day and it struck me that I was the age that Shirley MacLaine was when she played my mother. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/i-was-shooting-one-day-and-it-struck-me-that-i-was-the-age-that/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [An actress in a film starts every day with an hour and a half in front of a mirror, with hair and make-up and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/an-actress-in-a-film-starts-every-day-with-an-hour-and-a-half-in/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

> [I need my family to remind me in a loving and nice way to lighten up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/i-need-my-family-to-remind-me-in-a-loving-and-nice-way-to-lighten-up/)

[Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

[Explore all 77 Debra Winger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/)

## More Different quotes

> [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/)

[Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/)

> [I've seen a lot of people come out of Carol City, but I had this distinct vision for Carol City, just me coming out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-curry/i-ve-seen-a-lot-of-people-come-out-of-carol-city-but-i-had-this/)

[Denzel Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-curry/)

> [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/)

[Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/)

> [Some shows just go away - and that's fine. They serve their purpose and their entertainment value, but there are shows that touch people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/some-shows-just-go-away-and-that-s-fine-they-serve-their-purpose-and/)

[Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/)

> [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/)

[David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/)

> [One of the reasons that I do a lot of different kinds of pictures is because I learn a lot when I'm doing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-jason-leigh/one-of-the-reasons-that-i-do-a-lot-of-different-kinds-of-pictures-is/)

[Jennifer Jason Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-jason-leigh/)

> [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/)

[Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/)

> [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/)

[Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/)

> [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/)

[G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/)

> [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/)

[Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/)

> [Suffering did different things to different people...Some souls became tempered, unshakable in their faith, while others became twisted and mis-shapen, throwing off all connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-ragen/suffering-did-different-things-to-different-people-some-souls-became/)

[Naomi Ragen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-ragen/)

> [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/)

[Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/)

> [I always aspired to do something different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayushmann-khurrana/i-always-aspired-to-do-something-different/)

[Ayushmann Khurrana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayushmann-khurrana/)

> [The talk shows in the States want celebrities, not authors. In France, it is different; writers are called upon to comment on everything. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/the-talk-shows-in-the-states-want-celebrities-not-authors-in-france/)

[Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/)

> [My favorite job is the next one. Its such a gratifying experience getting to creatively keep trying something new and push things in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-craig-smith/my-favorite-job-is-the-next-one-its-such-a-gratifying-experience/)

[Roger Craig Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-craig-smith/)

[Browse all 28,697 Different quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A good marriage is different to a happy marriage.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Debra Winger"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/a-good-marriage-is-different-to-a-happy-marriage/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Different"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/a-good-marriage-is-different-to-a-happy-marriage/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/339/debra-winger-8813_different_a-good-marriage-is-different-to-a-happy_2672658.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/339/debra-winger-8813_different_a-good-marriage-is-different-to-a-happy_2672658.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/339/debra-winger-8813_different_a-good-marriage-is-different-to-a-happy_2672658.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A good marriage is different to a happy marriage.” — Debra Winger",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Debra Winger",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A good marriage is different to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/a-good-marriage-is-different-to-a-happy-marriage/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/a-good-marriage-is-different-to-a-happy-marriage/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
